Deja Vu All Over Again

As we all expected, the sewage plant saga continues.

There was a meeting at the Slatyfork Community Center last Tuesday (Oct 7th) between PSD members - Scott Millican, Bill Rexrode (Mark Smith was absent), Kermit Friel (project coordinator), Rick Barkley (PSD employee), Walt Helmick and Frank Jezioro (DNR).

The meeting was requested by the Governor's office to determine the status of the project in regards to available infrastructure funding.

There was some discussion in reconsidering Site #5 - behind Beckwith Lumber - as a possible location for the sewage treatment plant.

Apparently the Governor's office and Thrasher Engineering do not support this suggested relocation.

The PSD evidently does not recall the outpouring of opposition to a sewage plant located on the Elk River.

Did they think we went away?

To clarify and remove any doubt, Eight Rivers Safe Development, Inc.:

1. Does not support a regional plant at any location in the valley of Big Spring Fork, Old Field Fork or along the Elk River due to the risk of contamination to the karst and underground streams / springs.

2. Advocates the construction of a new membrane technology plant on Cheat Mountain which would treat waste from both Snowshoe and Silver Creek ski resorts and discharges ultra clean effluent back into the Shavers Fork basin eliminating inter-basin water transfer.

3. Supports the development of a comprehensive watershed management plan by the Downstream Strategies, Elk Headwaters Watershed Association, Trout Unlimited, Eight Rivers and others to define the state of the watershed and the wastewater treatment needs / solution for the Linwood / Big Spring Fork valley communities.

4. Will continue to monitor these new developments in the project and take appropriate action - including legal action - if necessary.

5. Encourage all to voice their concerns regarding moving the sewage plant back down on the Elk by writing or calling their public officials. See our "You Can Help" page for a list of names/addresses.

6. Remain firmly committed to protecting the karst, groundwater and trout habitat of the Upper Elk Watershed!

You can help by alerting others to this recent meeting. We need to continue to watch this closely and suggest a renewed effort to attend all Pocahontas PSD meetings.

Obviously they have forgotten how passionately we will defend The Elk.

Obviously they are underestimating us all.

Obviously they are wrong - again.